"THE VOICE" SEEMS TO JUST GET BETTER AND BETTER! REVIEWJust check out Chaka Khan's stellar performance of the standard "My Funny Valentine" on the "Waiting To Exhale" film soundtrack. It rings through loud and clear. Khan has claimed her rightful place at the front of the line for Queen of Soul divas in waiting! With an immensely impressive body of work to support her, Khan is perhaps the most qualified contender for Aretha Franklin's long-held moniker. (The only other serious potentials who come to mind would be vocal powerhouses such as Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle, Stephanie Mills, and a few others.)
Listening to these recordings, mostly from the 70s and 80s, it strikes one that Chaka Khan's contribution to Rhythm & Blues/Soul, as well as pop music at-large is as immense as her astonishing vocal rage. The wonderful jazz meets funk flow of "The Melody Still Lingers (Night in Tunisia)", and the tailor-made "What'cha Gonna Do For Me" are just two testaments of the unique vocal prowess she has been treating record buyers to since the early 70s.
"Never Miss The Water", the first single release of five new cuts, re-teams Chaka with producer David Gamson (Scritti Politti). It is a funky romp, recalling their "Love You All My Lifetime", from the Grammy-winning "The Woman I Am". Musician Me'Shell Ndegeocello's strategically placed raps lend some street authenticity to the tune, and maestro Frankie Knuckles' smokin' club re-mix should go over quite well with the under-thirty-five dance crowd.
Elsewhere on this collection we find, "Through The Fire", from '84's "I Feel For You". This beautiful ballad is a stunning reminder of just how sweet 'n girlish Ms Chaka can be when she puts her mind to it. (Remember "Sweet Thing"?!) On the other hand, we find Rufus' awarding-winning swan song "Ain't Nobody". This song, with its space-bound keyboard turns, hook-laden lyrics, and straight from the street vocal, is just as hip today as it was when initially released back in '83. The countless remakes of this tune of late don't hold a candle to the original funk masterpiece.
Of the new cuts, "Every Little Thing", is a playful little ditty that keeps sounding better and better with repeated playing. It jams; it swings. Some of Chaka's best scat-singing is featured here - while the bass playing is to die for! "Something Deep", is a much-welcomed, heavily bass-driven, sassy low-down groove thing from the team behind some of Brandy's most memorable early dance jams. Khan really spreads her wings here, encompassing, as only she can, straight from the heart soul diva lovelorn wailing, then sliding effortlessly upward into razor sharp jazz-scale phrasing of a class that seems to get better with each new recording.
"Everywhere", the surprising but logical re-make of a Fleetwood Mac song, is done here with a warm Caribbean treatment. Die hard rock fans may flinch at the new direction this song has taken. Yet, all-in-all, it is business as usual for Ms Chaka, as she flaunts her bountiful interpretive skills on the tune.
The compilation says it all: Chaka Khan is The Voice. Bless yourself, or a friend - hear theses recordings for yourself and experience the magic. The Queen of Soul-in-Waiting has spoken.
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